What's hypnotherapy like?

It's like lying on a soft, grassy river bank staring up at the sky, considering things from a place of deep rest, peace, creativity, safety and relaxation. Or, you know that immersed, absorbed feeling you get when you're engrossed in a great movie or book and the rest of the world disappears? It's like that. It's a safe, gentle process that you are completely in control of, and people generally very much enjoy.

Can you make me bark like a dog, or in anyway mess with my subconscious mind?

No. A person cannot be made to do things that they don't want to do under hypnosis. If this was possible, then people wouldn't struggle to give up smoking, for example, because they could simply override their desire to do it. Instead, true healing comes from finding the positive intention of the behavior, understanding the deep unconscious needs it's meeting, taking care of those, and exploring to find other, more interesting and satisfying ways to meet those underlying needs. This could happen in one session, but only because deep and truthful healing work was happening with the full, whole-hearted participation of and guidance from the client. Or it might take longer. Or it might not happen at all. Anyhow, by this example I hope that you can see that hypnotherapy is a process of assisting you to explore yourself. One in which you, and only you, choose what is right for you. Your subconscious will turn the words into what it most wants to hear, what is truly best for you, and use them to serve your highest benefit. Anything else won't stick.

Specifically, what will happen in the session?We'll talk, see what you're wanting and how your hypnotherapy session can support you best. Then I'll ask you to get really comfortable and prepare to relax and go to that still, quiet place inside yourself where your deepest intelligence is. I'll guide you and give you suggestions to support you to get there, until you have dropped down underneath the chatter of your conscious mind. There we will do the work that we have discussed and agreed upon, perhaps calling in various positive experiences or learnings that you'd like to use now, perhaps inviting in a future self, or having a good look at the mechanism of a habit, perhaps melting away some anxiety and replacing it with ease, or visualizing success in an upcoming challenge. There's lots of ways we can work. We stay in gentle communication all the way through, so that you can tell me what's going on, and I can stay with you to guide you in the way that supports you best. When the work is complete, I'll guide you back out slowly and gently. Clients mostly have a big grin on their face when they come out, remember much of what happened, and often say they notice big, easy changes in their lives afterwards.

Can you guarantee results?

No. It works very well for many people much of the time. And people are complicated. We cannot guarantee success. But people usually know after the first session if hypnotherapy is right for them, if they enjoy it and see benefits.

How many sessions will I need?

Sometimes one session is sufficient, sometimes more. A six session package is generally considered to be enough to address a habit such as weight loss, training for a big race, or working on a substantial goal. We encourage our clients to consider committing to the idea of six sessions and if things happen faster, then that's super cool.

Will I feel sleepy afterwards?

The final part of your session includes a process for integrating and gently returning to waking consciousness, feeling focused and alert. People generally find it pretty easy to reorient to their waking state after their sessions, and many feel clearer, calmer and more energized.

Can I take home an audio file to listen to later?

Yes! This is an excellent way to maximize your sessions. Please let us know that you'd like a recording at the beginning of your session. We also offer 2017 clients access to Club Hypno, which features downloads of various guided imagery for their exclusive use.